How to Handle Pending Avalanche (AVAX) Transactions

Why Is My Avalanche (AVAX) Transaction Pending?

Avalanche transactions may remain pending (unconfirmed) due to:

1. Insufficient transaction fees – The network prioritizes higher-fee transactions.
2. Queue blocking – If another transaction from the same wallet is pending, subsequent transactions wait in line.

Fee Market Dynamics

Avalanche’s throughput is limited. Validators process higher-fee transactions first. Low-fee transactions stall until network capacity frees up.

Transaction Order Rule

Transactions process strictly in submission order. Even a high-fee new transaction won’t bypass an older pending one.

How to Replace or Cancel a Pending Avalanche Transaction

👉 Speed up your stuck AVAX transaction

Solution: Submit a new transaction with:

• Higher gas fee
• Same nonce (transaction sequence number) as the pending one.

Steps to Override:

1. Identify the nonce of your pending transaction (e.g., 1 for the 2nd transaction).
2. Initiate a new AVAX transfer.
3. Enable custom nonce in settings and enter the pending transaction’s nonce.
4. Adjust gas fee upward (use Snowtrace Gas Tracker).
5. For "cancellation," send 0.000000001 AVAX to yourself with a higher fee.

Key Notes:

• Transactions process sequentially—clear older pending ones first.
• Validators permanently discard the original transaction once the replacement is mined.

How to Set a Custom Gas Price

1. In your wallet, select custom gas fee during transaction setup.
2. Refer to real-time gas trackers (e.g., Snowtrace) for optimal pricing.
3. Pro tip: During congestion, set fees 20% above the average to ensure prompt inclusion.

FAQ

Q1: How long do Avalanche transactions typically take?

A: Usually 1-3 minutes. Delays occur during network spikes or with low fees.

Q2: Can I cancel an AVAX transaction without resubmitting?

A: No—you must replace it with a new transaction (same nonce, higher fee).

Q3: Why does my transaction show "pending" for hours?

A: The initial fee became outdated due to a sudden gas price surge. Boost the fee to retry.

Q4: What if I don’t know my transaction’s nonce?

A: Check your wallet’s transaction history or use block explorers like Snowtrace.

👉 Master Avalanche transaction troubleshooting

Final Tip: Always verify gas prices before submitting to avoid pending states. Use wallets that allow fee adjustment post-submission.